Join White Meadow Temples Israel Adventure with Rabbi Benjamin Adler April 23 - May 4, 2012 Optional Eilat - Petra Extension May 4 - 8, 2012

Tour Highlights:
EL-AL, EWR - Tel Aviv - EWR - Non Stop Flights.
Dan Panorama Hotel Haifa, Dan Panorama Hotel Jerusalem, Dan Panorama Hotel Tel Aviv.
All Breakfasts, Shabbat Dinner and Lunch, 6 Week-Day Dinners as per itinerary.
Touring with one of Israel's Top Tour Guide Educators in Deluxe Motor Coach.
Our tour begins with a welcome orientation, Israel's northern coastal region, Atlit, Port city of Haifa, Mystical city of Tzefat, Kibbutz Hanaton's Seminar Center Metro-West's Religious Pluralism project.
Israeli supermarket, Yam Hazikkaron to Yom Ha'atzmaut, Bahai Gardens, "creepy" Crusader Fortress, Turkish Baths, Mosque of Jazzar, British prison, Amazing Tunisian Synagogue, Golan Heights, Har Bental, Golan Winery, View Temple Mount from the Tayelet, Kabbalat Shabbat in Jerusalem, Shabbat walking in the Old City, Havdalah with Rabbi Adler, Ammunition Hill, Hands-on archeological dig, Southern Wall Excavations, Davidson Center, Kotel Tunnels, Dead Sea Region, Masada,
Ein Gedi nature reserve, Kumran, Yad Vashem, Herzl Exhibit, Machaneh Yehuda, Tel Aviv, Na Laga'at, Weitzman Institute, Old Jaffa, Palmach Museum,
Visit Masorti Congregation Tiferet Shalom, Neve Tzedek, Independence Hall, ITC full color source book, A fantastic tour filled with meaningful experiences and fun!

  Itinerary

Monday, 23 April - USA Departure Overnight flight to Israel

Tuesday, 24 April - When You Come Into the Land (Deut. 26:1)
Morning arrival (ideally) in Israel, to be met and assisted by your ITC representative at Ben Gurion Airport. Travel to Israel's northern coastal region. At Atlit, we see how very different it was to arrive on Israeli shores before the State was born. Walk through the detention camp that held Holocaust refugees denied entry into Eretz Yisrael by the British; see the incredible, newly arrived "illegal immigration" boat with its wonderful a/v presentation about heroic pre-State immigration. Take a panoramic bus tour of the sparkling port city of Haifa. Hotel check-in, rest, and welcome dinner.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Wednesday, 25 April - In the Footsteps of Mystics and Pioneers
Yom Hazikkaron. Tour the synagogues, courtyards, and artist colony of the mystical city of Tzefat. Take part in a kibbuz tour and session at Kibbutz Hanaton's Seminar Center under the auspices of the Metro-West Federation Religious Pluralism project. Lunch in the kibbutz dining room. Experience the culture of an Israeli supermarket as we stop to purchase fixings for tomorrow's Yom Ha'atzmaut barbeque. Return to the hotel for a rest followed by dinner. Evening: Take part in the festivities in a Haifa neighborhood as the country switches from Yom Hazikkaron to Yom Ha'atzmaut.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Thursday, 26 April - Northern Communities Yom Ha'atzmaut
Walk down through the spectacular Bahai Gardens and learn about the Bahai faith and its unique utopian vision. Enjoy a do-it-ourselves barbeque on the beach - Yom Ha'atzmaut the Israeli way! In historic Acco, a city of many religions. Visit a "creepy" Crusader Fortress; the new exhibit at the adjacent Turkish Baths; the beautiful Mosque of Jazzar; the British prison, where Jewish freedom fighters were incarcerated; the amazing Tunisian Synagogue, which is completely decorated with mosaics depicting stories from Jewish history and traditional texts. Free evening in Haifa.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Haifa

Friday, 27 April - The Golan Heights and Ascent to Jerusalem
Travel east across the Galilee to the Golan Heights. Gaze down over the Galilee, as the Syrians once did; enter former Syrian bunkers and learn how master spy, Eli Cohen, revealed their secrets. Ascend to the peak of Har Bental, where you can take in a panoramic view at the crossroads of three countries; discuss the significance of the Golan Height in today's geo-political reality.mTaste the fruits of the region in the form of award-winning winesmat the Golan Winery. Travel south, along Israel's border withmJordan for the ascent to Jerusalem. Gaze upon the Temple Mountmfrom the Tayelet, as did Abraham at the dawn of Jewish history;mrecite the sheheyanu blessing. Hotel check-in to prepare for Shabbat. Kabbalat Shabbat at a choice of neighborhood synagogues (suggestions, walking instructions to be provided). Delicious Shabbat dinner at the hotel.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Shabbat, 28 April Shabbat in Jerusalem Parashat Tazria / Metzora
Shabbat services at a nearby synagogue. Shabbat lunch at the hotel. Shabbat walking tour through the four colorful quarters of Jerusalem's Old City. Havdalah with Rabbi Adler. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Sunday, 29 April - Ammunition Hill
See a terrific new audiovideo presentation about the fierce Six Day War battle for Jerusalem. Stumble across many archeological finds as you take part in a hands-on dig through archeological matter that has been removed, amid controversy, from under the Temple Mount. Explore the Southern Wall Excavations and learn more about the Jerusalem Temple at the Davidson Center. In the Kotel Tunnels, walk alongside the Western Wall's massive foundation stones. Free evening in Jerusalem.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Monday, 30 April - Freedom Fighters or Fanatics?
Depart for the Dead Sea Region. Ascend Masada by cable car. Tour this impressive excavation and discuss the terrible dilemma faced by its Jewish population during Roman times. Enjoy a walk through the beautiful Ein Gedi nature reserve and review the biblical story of kings David and Saul that took place there "on site". Stop for a dip in the amazing Dead Sea - Enjoy a group dinner overlooking the Dead Sea. Take part in a special night tour of Kumran.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Jerusalem

Tuesday, 1 May - Those Who Sacrificed
Visit the state-of-the art Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Children's Memorial at Yad Vashem. Enjoy a special multi-media presentation about the life, dreams, and accomplishments of the Father of Modern Zionism at the Herzl Exhibit (if available). Walk through colorful, bustling Machaneh Yehuda open-air market Am yisrael chai! Travel to the modern Hebrew city of Tel Aviv for hotel check-in. Evening: Enjoy dinner at Café Kapish in Old Jaffa, served by deaf waiters who will teach you sign language during your meal, followed by Na Laga'at, a unique play performed by actors who are both deaf and blind.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Wednesday, 2 May - Foundations of the State
Visit the visitors center of the Weitzman Institute, as well as Weitzman's home, and learn of the impressive accomplishments ofmIsrael's top science university. Please choose one for the group:mTake part in a choice of special walking tours of Old Jaffa, conductedmby Beit Daniel: "Tolerance," which is led by both Arab andmJewish guides working together OR "Bread and Butter," whichmfocuses on multiculturalism through the role of bread in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Enjoy an impressive presentation of the amazing achievements of the Palmach at the multi-media Palmach Museum. Visit Masorti Congregation Tiferet Shalom and meet with Rabbi Jeffrey Cymet. Enjoy a catered dinner there, to be joined by some synagogue members.
Overnight: Dan Panorama Hotel, Tel Aviv

Thursday, 3 May - The Modern Hebrew City
Walk through the historic Tel Aviv neighborhood of Neve Tzedek, replete with funky new shops and art galleries. At Independence Hall, relive Ben Gurion's moving declaration of the State; discuss whether it seems that the vision of Israel's founding fathers - articulated in the Scroll of Independence - have come to fruition. Free afternoon to relax on the beach, shop, pack; late check-out from the hotel. Delicious farewell dinner at Maganda (Yemenite). Depart for the airport.

Friday, 4 May - A Temporary Departure
Arrive in USA Begin planning your next Israel trip with Rabbi Adler and ITC Tours!

*Itinerary Subject to Change